The NCAA Division III Presidents Council on Tuesday took no position on a proposed age-based eligibility model. The council signaled the value of delegates referring the proposal back to the governance structure at the 2027 NCAA Convention in January.

Referring the proposal back would allow more time to study the issue and potentially develop a proposal that best suits Division III’s needs, the council signaled. The council also noted that a referral provides an opportunity to observe the implications of the legislation adopted by Divisions I and II. The NCAA did not describe the details of the proposed model.

The Presidents Council accepted the Management Council’s recommendation to oppose a proposal to establish a spring practice period in football. The council agreed that changes to any playing seasons should be paused pending a holistic review of traditional and nontraditional playing seasons by the Division III Analysis Working Group.

The Presidents Council received an update from the working group, which highlighted its development of a case study on age-based eligibility. The working group identified the division’s playing and practice seasons as a top priority. It also identified addressing economic tensions as a top priority.

The council supported a proposal to address the period of time when a vacancy on the Presidents and Management Councils may be filled. It also approved the order and grouping of convention proposals. The NCAA did not describe the vacancy proposal or list the proposal order.

The council approved new nominees to the Management Council and the Presidents Council. Division III members will have an opportunity to vote on the new nominees in early November. Selected nominees, seven on each council, will begin their term of service after the 2027 NCAA Convention.

The council voted for a new Division III representative to the Board of Governors. The representative will begin after the board’s meeting in January, serving a two-year term. The NCAA did not name the person selected.

On Monday, the Presidents Council participated in a joint meeting with the Presidents Advisory Group, as well as presidents and chancellors from Division II. The meeting explored trends in higher education and the impact on college athletics. Outcomes from the meeting will be discussed at future Presidents Council meetings.

On Monday evening, the council and the Presidents Advisory Group met and received updates from NCAA senior staff. They engaged in two roundtable discussions on eligibility models and the ongoing review of name, image and likeness.

The council also discussed two options referred to it, Model 2035 membership and extending the term of the Presidents Council chair. Regarding Model 2035, the council supports a forward-looking analysis of the division’s membership.

The council will consider the impact of expected closings and consolidations of Division III schools. It will consider Division I and II institutions that may reclassify to Division III for conference affiliation. It will also consider other changes to Division III membership, the division’s legislative membership standards and possible membership segmentation.

During its January meeting, the council will consider options on extending the chair’s term from one year to two years.